Merging my G and H together for GOOD HEALTH choices. It’s always empowering to me in spite of having Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and other health issues/concerns to make as many good health choices as I can. It’s true that when you eat better you feel better. Plus, with all of the medication I take, I try to give my body a fighting chance to counter act the medicine.
I am not one for diets, trends, or gimmicks. I simply believe in making better choices, more positive ones than negative ones and getting some exercise. Also, what you eat can help your mental health as well. Too much salt or sugar doesn’t help your anxiety or depression.
Great customer service is important to me. It can be good and I am just fine with that. However, what has been bothering is dealing with business owners who have the worst attitude or a bland attitude with some customers, but a blatant chipper, upbeat, smiling and bubbling personality with those that have money, fame, or just someone they think can get them closer to their dreams. I just want to be treated with respect, like my business and my money matters.
I dealt with a person for their service and the first time they were nice. The second time I saw them at an event and they were so busy trying to kiss up to the crowd they wish they were a part of, they blew me off. I asked them for their business card and they said to me: “Like, you are going to come.” I was so offended. They had no idea what I was going through and what it cost me to patronize their business. However, as time went on I decided maybe I should give this person another chance. Well, guess what, once over the phone they had the same snobby, funky attitude they had once before. I’d already paid them for an upcoming service and I immediately began to regret it. In fact, I considered cancelling it, but I did not want to disappoint the people at the event.
Once the event was over I decided to never use that person’s services again nor to recommend them. As an African American in this country, it’s important to support African American businesses because many times we, along with other minorities, INCLUDING WOMEN OF ALL RACES, are the minority. If we are going to do business, no matter the race, I must be treated the same way you treat others. I’m important, too.
Last year instructions for my New Year were laid out in one big dreaming session. However, this year it seems to be coming in quietly, steadily, and unfolding. I am use to God dealing with me through many methods so I am comfortable and I think I needed it to be slow this time. I honestly can appreciate this method. I am a bit worn out from 2016 and the Excavating of My Authentic Self. I suppose when the word Liberation was dropped into my spirit, it was on time because after you excavate something it has to be freed from that which has preserved it. It needs to be a gentle process. It is fragile, yet precious and you want to keep it intact.
So I wanted to share the book that I used to help me grasp my authentic self in 2016 and the first book of instructions in my Liberation Journey 2017.
I actually purchased these two books towards the end of 2015 with no idea I would be using them in a journey. I was given the dream in 2015 on New Year’s Eve about Becoming my Authentic Self and well I had the book right in my possession to assist me. I will say it was a great help along with the Word of God (for me), messages, dreams and life experiences that seem to coordinate like a perfectly crafted course by the Creator. I thought I would use the other book last year, but I didn’t get too far into it. I think this is the book that will start off my liberation. I need to be liberated in my finances. It has been crunch time for almost three years since my illness. I have drained savings and feel the strain on my family. Yet, time is approaching where all of that is about to be over and certainly this is one area I will be liberated in. It would only seem fitting to take a totally new approach to finances and also there has been a mention of stock courses. You see, there is always a way to rebound and recover abundantly!
I don’t know what is next in this liberation course the Creator has designed for me or we have designed together at some points I am sure. I certainly would like for my lack of a love life to be liberated! (lol).
Well, I started last weekend off with a trip to Memphis’s Farmers Market and since I was undecided on whether or not to attend the Memphis Book Festival I dressed cute and comfortable to be on the safe side. I got my fresh fruits and veggies (see Memphis Farmers Market Post) and headed down Union. A quick left into the Playhouse on the Square and a parking space magically appeared! I believe I was in sync with the Universe! (Parking spaces in midtown are hard to come by) I waltz in like I know where I am going and what class I am going to sit in but, I don’t know either. With a warm welcome and a quick read of the confused look on my face, I was handed a festival class and activity guide by a lovely volunteer.
I see the class Having It All and the description of balancing being an author and your other endeavors (blogger, running a publishing company, publicist, working professional, etc). I thought to myself “Can I have it all? Will I have to let some things go? I need balance. I don’t know what I am doing. This is the class for me!” I walk in and opt for a seat by the window so I can view the tent of authors I would visit after this class.
ALL of the authors on the panel gave us the unbridled truth about having it all, how they got where they are, where they are trying to go from there. They were very down to earth, practical, spoon feeding us truth serum in the world of Having It All all with pats on the back. You know the kind of hearty pats on the back your mom gives you after you cough from the horrible liquid night time syrup that is sure to make you better by morning.
I met Kima Jones, publicist for Natalie Baszile, the author of Queen Sugar. If you didn’t know, Queen Sugar debuted a few weeks ago as a new night time TV drama on OWN. She was the only woman on the panel and offered sound and sharp advice to women in the audience.
After I floated out of the class, I ran smack dab into a woman here in Memphis I adore. Cheryl Pesce is an angel that handcrafts jewelry with intricate details from precious stones and metals. I follow her on Facebook and Instagram (and you should too!) because she is so inspiring, unique and gifted. She has a story to tell that will light fire under your stilettos or sneakers.
I headed on over to Belly Acres for lunch and walked right into a Junker’s Fair in Overton Square. Belly Acres is in walking distance from Playhouse on the Square along with many other restaurants and bars. It was my first time there and the food was delicious.
I went home, rested and got back out to end my night with the crooning of Eric Roberson and D. Maurice as they made a pit stop in Memphis for a fundraiser of a very special and important non-profit organization here in Memphis; SisterReach. Click here to find out more about this organization and to see how you can help: https://sisterreach.org/about-sr/
My Monday was a push through to a Cocktails and Connections:Building Powerful Relationships hosted by The Brown Experience and Kay Brooks at the Hattiloo Theatre. It was well worth the push through as the panel, once again, delivered sound advice on how to handle the many types of relationships you will encounter as a professional and an entrepreneur. They shared their experiences, honest mistakes, and wisdom. I needed that advice like a fashionista needs a matching clutch to complete her attire. https://www.facebook.com/thebrownexperiencemem/ Like The Brown Experience on Facebook for up and coming events!
I was beat after that but, headed over to a behind the scenes photo shoot with flip flops in tow to relieve my aching feet from those gold heels. The experience of seeing multiple models in front of the camera and how a photographer conducts shoots was priceless. I made some great connections with the owner of iHustle, a Memphis born clothing line. Photos from their fashion show coming soon.
My I am beat but I just saw a cute guy as I walked into my condo face. That gave me brief life to strut in those heels and give a “Heeeeeeeey”. I strutted like Loretta Devine on Waiting to Exhale in the scene with her and Gregory Hines.
Nikki's Confetti Life 